Castlemilk History

The demolition of Mitchellhill flats is now in the history books as the largest controlled explosion in the country. click on the link below to see two versions of the blowdown.

Safedem Mitchellhill

This is a great site for demolition jobs.

It's pretty obvious that there are more demolitions going on in Castlemilk, Old housing and schools, But this is the most dramatic.

This grand old building was constructed around 1794 as the painting below may show (pic 1). Within the structure lived the gardeners, herdsman, coachmen, some sheep chickens,doves and ofcourse the horses. There was also a dovecot and a water feature in the centre of the courtyard (pic 2).

1.  2.

Note the tower dome.

After the laird had died and his family moved on, the area was overtaken by Glasgow Corporation. New housing was built after the war ended, the home emptied and was destroyed in 1969, but the stables survived by being in the use of the City. The parks department used it for many years and later in the 1980's it was inhabited by various other departments. The last to have offices within the stables were the Castlemilk arts department, C sharp music, Castlemilk gardening club and a caretaker who lived in the stables at the rear corner cottage/flat. They were burnrd out in the early 1990's by mindless morons who didn't have a clue.

Top picture: Arts office & C# Music. Lower: Caretakers flat.

Other groups have tried to save this building, some plans had just too much planning involved, some never realy got the chance to get going. Cassiltoun trust have managed to raise the funds and get backing from the professionals in this field. Builders are on site, they have cleared the debris and rubble from many years, removed the roof and started the renovation proper by replacing stonework, drainage and preparing for the 'geothermal, heating system. 

The building will be open to the public early 2007, Such is the interest in this project, all the office space is virtually taken. It is hopefull that local schools ,and from beyond, will visit throughout the year and learn of the local history and more,much more.

After WWII, the planning and construction of the new Castlemilk began as the older buildings in the city were 'slums' and overcrowded. People moved from the inner areas to the outer 'countryside'. Everyone was amazed at the space they had, each house with their own bathroom, a large kitchen and a garden. Many younger families loved this 'new beggining', a great change from the cramped conditions of old Glasgow town.

When the new 'scheme' was built they forgot one or two things, transport, shops, schools and other fascilities required by 'joe public'. All this was added through the years but grocery vans would travel the scheme selling items at inflated prices. Buses would stop at the bottom of Castlemilk drive and Carmunnock road,but, the houses were great. Like any other huge area of housing the task of maintainance must have been horrific. Castlemilk started to go downhill and reached rock bottom in the late 1960's/70's. People moved out in droves and houses lay empty for months. Vandalism kicked in and things just got worse.

In the 1980's a group of residents gathered and formed the first Association, Castlemilk East. the first area to be renovated was The bottom end of Ballantay. This was such a success the project rocketed and Castlemilk now has five Housing associations. Each providing new and renovated housing for young and old alike. New schools are being built, better shopping and sporting fascilities, transport, medical centres, community centres and health is all being promoted and made readily available to the residents. A great change from many years back. New housing is being purchased in the area, some before a brick has been laid.

With the re introduction of 'the stables', Castlemilk will be able to show it's historic past and it's new found idendity for all to see. One things for sure, it will not be allowed to go back to it's depleted state, it can only go forward with the help of those who live here and we can grow to respect what we have on our doorstep.

AVANT CASTLEMILK